The Sedbergh booktown project was started after the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in order to encourage an increase in the number of visitors, whose enjoyment of the beautiful countryside around Sedbergh supports the functioning of vital town centre amenities. The company, Sedbergh Book Town, was set up in 2003 to develop a community of businesses involved in selling, writing, publishing and designing books and other publications. Sedbergh started with an excellent base to build upon as a Booktown, with a printer's finisher (book maker), writers and several book selling businesses already based in the town. Since then three more bookshops have opened and, in May 2006, Sedbergh was oficially recognised as England's Booktown when it was elected into the International Organisation of Book Towns. There are now three official Booktowns in the United Kingdom, Hay-on-Wye (where it all started) in Wales, Wigtown in Scotland and Sedbergh in England.
Eric Robson, writer, broadcaster and patron.
“First, a confession: I spend far too much on books. Which is why this idea of creating a Book Town in Sedbergh is a thoroughly bad idea. Until now my nearest Book Towns were Hay-on-Wye and Wigtown which meant my obsessions were held in check by sheer distance. Now it's going to be far too easy. I can already hear my bank manager turning in his vault. I won't be able to resist. And there are thousands of other bibliophiles holding their heads in their hands as we speak. ‘Not Sedbergh!’ I hear them cry just before they get into their car and are drawn slowly but surely towards the Howgills.”
Book Dealers
Details of book dealers in and near Sedbergh can be found on the Sedbergh book dealers web page.
Book Festivals in the UK
Sedbergh holds an annual Festival of Books and Drama in September.
Scotland's booktown, Wigtown, holds it's festival towards the end of September and Hay-on-Wye, the birthplace of the Book Town movement, in Wales holds its festival at the end of May.
Sedbergh Book Town Literary Trust
Sedbergh England's Book Town works through a company owned by the community which is mainly concerned with regeneration and business creation for the book town. The Sedbergh Book Town Literary Trust has now been created as a Charity – Reg. No. 1115782. The Trust exists to make Sedbergh England's Book Town “the very best Book Town it can be, worthy of national status, and a centre of excellence for literature and the written word”.
We feel that we can meet these aims in 2 ways; firstly by promoting events which will demonstrate excellence through performance or explanation and secondly, by education for all age and ability groups which may lead to performance or published work or simply participation.
2007 is the first year of operation for the Trust, we have been lucky enough to fund a Trust Development Manager post for 3 years through the Northern Rock Foundation, this person is also the organiser of all activities including the Festival.
Friends of Sedbergh Book Town
This group is a totally independent society which exists to help the growth of the book town and to help raise funds for the Trust. Members are able to buy books and tickets at discounted prices at participating businesses in Sedbergh.
The Poetry School
The Poetry School started life in London in 1997 to teach poetry to adults and now offer an unprecedented choice of activities. As the School has grown, they have established teaching centres in Exeter and Manchester and also offer activities in Bath, Dorchester, Falmouth, Aldeburgh and Carlisle as well as a developing range of overseas and online activities. Courses range from the ongoing commitment of a year-long course to a burst of inspiration from a one-day workshop, they offer poets of all levels opportunity to improve their skills. The Poetry School is open to everyone, regardless of qualifications or experience. A generous bursary scheme helps those with low incomes to participate fully.
Starting in 2007 Sedbergh Booktown is collaborating with The Poetry School in a series of one day workshops which will take place in the Farfield Mill Arts and Heritage Centre. Details of the workshops can be found on The Poetry School website and the Sedbergh events calendar.
